Pretty much open season on them here in Michigan but they’re more often heard than seen.
I don’t know about them running in pairs because when I hear them it sounds like several animals. But they also both claim they don’t interbreed with wolves at the same time there appears to be plenty of evidence that they do.
The ones I’ve personally seen here (at least three times)are smaller - a large dog could make a good showing against one - and they were lone. Regardless, next one I see and can get to my rifle it’s gone DRT.
I guess taking down a horse is not different then taking down an elk. What is strange is if they are sure it was only one animal, then do we have a coyote wolf cross breed?